Folding brace



April 1953 A. c. HAISCH 2,634,831

FOLDING BRACE Filed Nov. 24, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q no (C1 ALBERT c.HAls H, INVENTOR.

ATTORNEK A. C. HAISCH April 14, 1953 FOLDING BRACE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 2 1951 ALBERT c. HAISCH,

ATTORNEY.

April 14, 1953 A. c. HAISCH 2,634,831

FOLDING BRACE Filed Nov. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 5o ALBERT c. Hmso-aINVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 14, 1953 FOLDING BRACE Albert C. Haisch, South Milwaukee,Wis., assignor to Bucyrus-Erie Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., acorporation of Delaware Application November 24, 1951, Serial No.258,067

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding braces,particularly as used insupport of telescopic masts or derricks, such asthose on portable drills.

Heretofore the braces supporting such masts have been of such a naturethat when raising or lowering the mast it has been necessary to climbthe mast to at least partially attach (or detach) the braces, orotherwise of such nature that the braces could withstand only tension,and not compression, loading. In the first case, climbing the mast isquite hazardous, because of the height involved and limited footing andhand holds; there also results an appreciable delay in the mast-raisingoperation. And in the second case the limitation on type of load whichthe braces can Withstand cuts in half the usefulness of the braces andleaves the compression-support problem unsolved; the mast itself must bebuilt more strongly, and, of course, made heavier, in order itself tostand the loads which preferably should be carried in compression by thebraces.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a newtype of folding brace construction for telescoping masts, in which theoperations necessary to prepare the braces for telescoping or extendingof the mast can be performed entirely from the base level of the mast.

A further principal object is to provide such braces which will supportcompression loads as well as tension loads.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brace arrangement suchthat, when the mast is being telescoped, the braces fall automaticallyas a unit into collapsed transport position, it being necessary only todisconnect the braces from the main frame of the drill, which can bedone from the ground level.

In addition to the objects, above stated, a number of novel and usefuldetails have been worked out, which will be readily evident as thedescription progresses.

vThe invention consists in the novel parts and in the .combination andarrangement thereof, which are defined in the appended claims, andoflwhich' two embodiments are exemplified in the accompanying drawings,which are hereinafter particularly described and explained.

-,Throughout the description the same reference is appliedto the samemember or to similar members.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the braces as applied to a drill havinga telescoping mast, the dotted lines indicating portions of the bracesin the partially-telescoped position of the mast and Figure 4 is apartial side view of the first embodiment of the invention, partiallycut away, showing a portion of the braces in the fully-ex-' tendedposition of the mast.

Figure 5 is a side view, similar to Figure 4, but showing the portion ofthe braces in the partially-telescoped position of the mast.

Figure 6 is a side view, similar to Figure 4, but showing the portion ofthe braces in the fullytelescoped position of the mast.

Figure 7 is a top section view, taken along the line 'l| in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a side view, similar to Figure 4, showing a secondembodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a side View, similar to Figure 5, showing the secondembodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is a side view, similar to Figure 6, tshowing the secondembodiment of the invenion.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and '2, it is seen that the mainframe ll of the drill, which contains the drilling machinery (notshown), supports at its rear end the telescoping mast to be hereinafterdescribed. The drill frame I I, the means for its support, the drillingmachinery. and the telescoping mast are of conventional design, thedetails of which do not constitute any part of the invention. Inaccordance with the usual design, the foot portion l2 of the mast ispivotally mounted at the rear top corner of the frame II, to permittilting to a horizontal carrying position on top of the frame, from thesubstantially vertical extended operative (i. e.

erected) position. The mast is, in its preferred form, made up of tworigid telescoping sections, namely the foot l2 and the extensibleportion I3. The mast is braced in its vertical position by the improvedconstruction of collapsible folding braces, of which the constructionshown and described herein is merely an illustrative form.

Pivotally attached as at M adjacent the top of the extensible portion l3of the mast are two upper 1111K braces [5. Similarly attached as at 16adjacent the top of the lower or foot section i2 01' the mast arehorizontal braces ll, each carrying at its outer end in fixedrelationship a connecting or bracket member [8. Braces It} are 3associated with bracket I8 in a manner to be described later herein.

A pair of lower front braces I9 are detachably connected at their lowerends adjacent the upper front of frame I I, by means such as bolts 22,and are at their upper ends pivotally connected as at 2I to member I8.

A pair of lower rear braces 22 are similarly attached by bolts 23adjacent the upper rear of frame II and by pivotal connections 24% tomember I8.

Horizontal member 25 (Figure 2), fixed at each end to one of bracketmembers I8, serves as a spacer to maintain a fixed distance between thebrackets and also provides rigidity to the structure.

Referring also to Figure 7, it is seen that a member is fixed to thefoot portion I2 of the mast just above the main frame II. The functionof member 5| will be explained later.

' Turning also to Figure 4, it is seen that each bracket I8 consists ofan inside plate 26 and a smaller outside plate 21, fixed together inspaced relationship on either side of brace I? by the rivets 28 by meansof which brace I! is afiixed to the bracket.

The forward ends 55 of braces I? have formed on their upper surface camseats 29, within which fit the convex surfaces 30 of cam 31 which arefixed on the lower end of braces I5. Braces I5 are slidably supportedwithin hollow members 32, which are pivotally supported between plates25 and 21 as at 33, braces I5 being limited in their upward travel bythe contact between hollow members 32 and the shoulders of cam 3i.

In the second embodimentof the invention, illustrated in Figures 8, 9and 10, the cam seats 29 are replaced by second cam means 34 formed onthe slightly extended upper ends of braces I9. To avoid interference ofbraces I! with cams 3i and 34, it is preferable in this embodiment thatthe overlap between braces I7 and plates 26 and 21 be of smalldimension; this may be readily facilitated by having a welded connectionbetween these braces and the plates, as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 1-0.

The operation of the first embodiment of the invention will now bedescribed. When the drill is in the operating position, with the mastfully extended as shown in full lines in Figure 1, the braces (adjacentbrackets 18) are in the position shown in Figure 4. In such condition,hollow members 32 are held in position 'by plates 26 and 21, which arein turn supported by braces I1, I9 and 22. Braces i5 are held fromlongitudinal movement in 'an upward direction by the contact betweencams 3| and the lower portion of members 32, and are held from downwardlongitudinal movement by the contact between the convex surfaces 30 ofcams SI and the cam seats 29. Thus braces I5 will withstand forcesacting to put them-either in compression or tension. Althought not anessential "element of the invention; preferably the longitudinal axes ofbraces" I5 and 19 in each set are in line, so that compression andtension forces in braces I5 can be sustained by braces I9 alone. Braces22 may then, at the sacrifice of support at the upper end of the footportion I2 of the mast, be eliminated. It is also preferable, though notessential, that the axes of braces I5, I9 and 22 in each set lie in thesame plane, in order to avoid eccentric loading in those braces.

When it is desired to "telescope the "mast, 'the' drill operator merelyremoves bolts 20 and 23,

which connect braces I9 and 22 to the main frame II, and swings thesebraces into position for retention by member 5I, as can be seen fromFigures 1, 3 and 7. The operator can, of course, do this withoutclimbing the mast of the drill. The operator then telescopes the mast bypower means which are wel1 known in the art and need not be detailedhere.

When braces I sand 22 are disconnected from the main frame I I, they aresupported by braces and I1, through brackets IB. As the mast telescopes,braces I5 lower brackets I8, which pivot on braces I1 about point 5.When braces I'I attain a position just short of vertical (Figure 5') thesupport of braces I9 and 22 is transferred from braces I5 to braces I1.Cam seats 29 have then rotated out from under cams and no longer preventbraces I5 from downward travel through hollow members 32. Continuedtelescoping of the mast (Figure 6) causes braces i5 to slide throughmembers 32 until the mast is fully telescoped (Figure 3). Braces I9 and22 are so positioned that when their weight is en tirely supported bybraces I1, braces I! will. hang slightly forwardly from vertical; sothat when the operation is reversed, that is, the mast is ex: tended,braces I5 will have leverage on brackets I8 through braces I1 andfulcrums I6 to make possible the raising of brackets I8 and braces I7,49 and 22. It will be noted that member 5| serves to hold the lowerbraces I9 and 22 away from the main frame II, so that in lowering, thebraces do not become entangled in the main machinery (not shown) carriedby main frame H. In the fully telescoped position, member '51 alsosupports the lower end of braces 15 so that when the mast is lowered totransport position (as described below) braces I5 will support brackets58 to constrain those brackets and braces I9 and 22 in their foldedposition.

When the telescoping action has become complete, as shown in Figure 3,the operator may then by well-known means not shown here, lower the mastto transport position by pivoting it downward about the upper rear offrame II to the position shown also in dotted lines of Figure 1.

When the operator wishes to erect the drill for operation, the aboveprocedure is merely reversed. As the mast is extended, from the positionshown in Figure 3, braces I5 will, after the shoulders of cams 3| havecontacted hollow members 3-2 (Figure 5)., raise braces I1 to theposition shown in the full lines inFigure 1-. The

operator then swings braces l9 and 22 from behind member 5| to theposition shown in full lines in Figure 1 and replaces bolts 20 and 23.The drill is then ready for operation.

From the above description, it is evident that the brace arrangementprovided by this invention is of a nature that will resist both rearwardand forward forces exerted against the top of the mast by the drillingaction. It i equally evident that the mast may be fully telescoped-orextended Without it being necessary for the drill operator to climb themast to detach or fasten the braces.

Having now described and illustrated two forms of the invention, it isto be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificform or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

Iclaim:

1-. In a supporting structure for a telescoping mast, which includes afoot section of the mast pivoted on a main frame for tilting from asubstantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position,and an extensible section of the mast extensible longitudinally alongthe foot section, the combination of: a substantially horizontal linkbrace at one end pivotally connected to the foot section of the mastadjacent the top thereof; a second link brace at one end operativelyassociated with the other end of the horizontal link brace insupportable relation therewith, and at the other end detachablyconnected to the main frame at a point removed from the connectiontherewith of the foot section of the mast; a first member connected tosaid other end of the horizontal link brace; a third link brace at itsupper end pivotally connected to the extensible section of the mastadjacent th upper end thereof, and on the lower end having a camoperatively associated with said first member; a hollow second memberpivotally carried by said first member for pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane, the hollow member encircling the third linkbrace above the cam portion in close, slidable relationship; and a camseat operatively associated with said first member, against which saidcam portion abuts, to prevent downward longitudinal movement of saidthird link brace when the mast is fully extended, and to permit suchmovement when the mast is telescoped a predetermined amount.

2. Supporting structure according to claim 1,

further characterized by the fact that th cam seat is rigidly connectedto said first member.

3. Supporting structure according to claim 1, further characterized bythe fact that the cam seat is rigidly connected to said horizontal linkbrace adjacent said other end thereof.

4. Supporting structure according to claim 3, further characterized bythe fact that the cam seat is also rigidly connected to said firstmember.

5. Supporting structure according to claim 4, further characterized bythe fact that the longitudinal axes of the second and third link bracesare in line.

6. Supporting structure according to claim 1, further characterized bythe fact that the longitudinal axes of the second and third link bracesare in line.

7. Supporting structure according to claim 1. further characterized byhaving a fourth link brace at one end pivotally connected to said firstmember and at the other end detachably connected to the main frameadjacent the connection therewith of the foot section of the mast.

8. Supporting structure according to claim 7, further characterized bythe fact that the lon tudinal axes of the second and third link bracesare in line.

9. Supporting structure according to claim 8, further characterized bythe fact that the longitudinal axes of the second, third and fourth linkbraces lie in a common plane.

10. A supporting structure according to claim 1, further characterizedby having a fourth link brace at one end pivotally connected to thefirst member and at the other end detachably connected to the main frameadjacent the connection therewith of the foot section of the mast, and athird member fixed adjacent the bottom of the foot section of the mast,to constrain the second and fourth link braces from entanglement withthe main frame when the mast is telescoped.

11. Supporting structure according to claim 1,

further characterized by the fact that th cam seat is formed on said oneend of the second link brace.

12. Supporting structure according toclaim 11, further characterized bythe fact that the longitudinal axes of the second and third link bracesareinline. v g

13. Supporting structure forv a telescoping mast, which mast includes afoot section mounted on a main frame and an extensible section, thesupporting structure including: a connecting member; a first link braceat its upper. end pivotally connected to the extensible section of themast adjacent the upper end thereof, and at its lower end having anoperative connection with the connecting member, said operative 0011'7nection including a guide member mounted on the connecting member andinterlocked in longitudinal sliding relationshi with the first linkbrace, and first stop means associated, with the first link brace. andthe connecting membe vto,

limit upward sliding movement of the first link brace relative to theguide member; a second link brace at one end pivotally connected tothe'foot section of the mast adjacent the upper end thereof, and at itsother end connected, through the connecting member, pivotally to thelower end of the first link brace; a third link brace at its lower enddetachably-connected to the mainv frame at a point removed from theconnection therewith of the foot section of th mast, and at its upperendpivotally associated with the connecting member; and second stopmeans associated with said first linkbrace and one of .the other linkbraces and shiftable, by the relative pivoting of said first link braceand said one of the other link braces into engaged position to preventdownward longitudinal movement of the first link brace with respect tothe guide member when the mast is fully extended, and into disengagedposition to fully permit such movement upon telescoping of the mast apredetermined amount.

14. Supporting structure according to claim 3, further characterized bythe fact that the second stop means comprises a cam member rigidlyconnected to said connecting member.

15. Supporting structure according to claim 13, further characterized bythe fact that the second stop means comprises a cam member integral withsaid upper end of said third link brace.

16. Supporting structure for a telescoping mast, which mast includes afoot section mounted on a main frame adjacent one end thereof and anextensible section, including: two connecting members; a pair ofinclined first link braces each at the lower end detachably connected tothe main frame at opposite sides and adjacent the other end thereof andeach at the upper end pivotally connected to one of said two connectingmembers; a pair of oppositely inclined second link braces each at thelower end detachably connected to the main frame at opposite sides andadjacent said one end thereof and each at the upper end pivotallyconnected to one of said connecting members; a third link braceconnected at each end to one of said connecting members, to maintainsaid members in spaced relationship; a pair of substantially horizontalfourth link braces each connected at one end to the foot section of themast at opposite sides and adjacent the top thereof and each connectedat the other end to one of the connecting members; a pair of hollowmembers each pivotally supported by one of said con- 7- necting memhersfor pivotal movementin an ap proximately vertical plane;- a pair ofinclined fifth link braces each at one end pivotally' con-- nected totheextensible section of" the mast adjacent the top thereof and adjacentthe other end slidably supported within one of said hollow members;first engaging means formed on said other ends'of the fifth-i linkbraces to engage said hollow member; to prevent disengagement ot'saidbraces and hollow members by upward sliding motion of the braces; and avpair of second engaging" means each.- operatively associated with oneofsaid connecting members to prevent downward sliding motion of saidfifth link braces when mast i's fully extended but to permit suchmotion' whenthe-mast has been telescope'd a mode termined amount;

17i- Supporting structure according to claim 16, characterized by thefact that: the first engaging: means: consist of enlarged cams formed onsaid other ends of" the fifth link'braces; the connecting members are:rigidly attached to the third; link' brace and to the fourth linkbraces; thelongitudinal; axes of'the first, second and fifth link:braces in each setlie in a common plane; the longitudinal axes ofthe-first and fifth braces in each set: are in line; and each ofithdsecond engaging means consists of' a cam seatrigidly attached to one ofsaid connecting members 'to engagethe; cam on one of said fifth link;braces when the mast isv fully extended, and to disengage; from saidcamwhen the mast has been telescoped aspred'etermined amount.

18. Supporting. structure-according to claim 16, characterized by thefactthat: the first engaging: meansconsist'. of enlarged cams formed onsaidrothe'r endsv of the fifth link braces; the connecting: membersvare. rigidly attached to thethird: link: brace:- and. to the fourth"link braces; the longitudinal: axes of the first and fifth link braces:are in line- ;v and each of' the second en-- gaging means consists ofv acamseat formed on and adjacent said other end of one of said first andto disengage from said cam when the mast. has been telescopeda-predetermined amount;

I9 Supporting structure for a telescoping mast,.which mastincludes afoot section mounted on. a main. frame adjacent the rear thereof and an;extensible. section, the supporting struc-- ture including: asubstantially horizontal. first link braceat one end pivotally connectedto the foot section of the mast. adjacent the upper end. thereof andextending forwardly above the main frame; a. connecting, memberconnected to the other end of said first link brace; a rear-- wardlyinclined secondlink brace at its lower end detachably connected to the:main frame. adjacent the front thereof and at its; upper end pivotallyconnected to the connecting member; a hollow member pivotally'supported. by said con necting member for pivotal movement in anapproximately vertical plane; a rearwardly' inclined third link brace atits upper end piv-- otally connected to: the extensible section of the:mast adjacent. the upper end thereof. and adjacent its lower endextending through and sup ported within the hollow member in close Slideablerelationship, and. having an enlarged cam fixed to said lastmentioned lower end below and abutting against said hollow member toprevent upward sliding. motion of the third link brace; and a, cam seatoperatively connected to the connecting memben, abutting againstthecam,. to prevent downward sliding motion of the third. link bracewhen the mastis fully extended and to move out of such abuttingengagement andout: of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the.

. third link brace when the connecting member and. first link brace movepivotally downward a predetermined amount as the. mast is telescoped.

ALBERT C. HAISCH.

References Cited in the file of. this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 801,372 Faltz Oct.- 10, 1905 2,340,351 Thornburg' Febs1', 1944

